Two beautiful brick alignments of the Lincoln Highway
still exist near Robertsville, Ohio. Robertsville is between East
Canton and Minerva in the eastern part of Stark County.
Originally paved in about 1919 -20, many sections of road were
abandoned within 20 years because of the rough terrain on which the
original road was laid. The original Minerva to East Canton leg was
used from about 1913 to about 1940, but as cars became bigger and
faster, the width and tight turns of the road became intolerable.
Attempts were made in places to uproot the brick and spread them
further apart to widen the road; but even this wasn't enough, and a
whole new road was constructed with Federal funds between the two
villages. With the construction of the new road, much of the original
highway was relegated to residential street status, leaving us years
later with two antique stretches of road.
In Robertsville near the center of the town, follow Applehill Avenue
south from the main highway. Applehill turns into Baywood Street and
comes to the highest part of this highway in Stark County. From this
ridge road you will be traveling a brick road with some of the best
views in the area. The road descends the hill crossing railroad tracks
at the bottom. Note that the brick at the bottom of the hill is still
painted with dividing lines and rail crossing warnings. Rail Crossing.
It is a stretch just under 3 miles long, and about half of it still
has exposed brick.
Another section to visit is Cindell Street. It is just west of Sam
Krabill Avenue and is also brick. The original road east of Sam
Krabill is on private property.
If you get the chance to visit the Robertsville Grange, be sure to ask
them to show you their stage curtain (left) of downtown Robertsville,
painted in about 1930.
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Baywood Street
Baywood, where attempts were made to widen the street
by spreading the bricks.
Baywood where paint markings are still visible on the
brick.
Cindell Street
Century Flooring, 11340 Lincoln St SE,
330-862-2013 |
